How to Make a Spiritual Friendship that Lasts

You may be wanting to know how to make a spiritual friendship that lasts but have no idea what to do to get started. It can be a challenge to meet someone new, let alone someone who has your same values, beliefs, and goals in life, but what’s great about true friends is that they have each other’s best interests in mind. 

Friends share in triumphs and tragedies alike, so whether it’s winning or losing, you know your friend has your back! What does a spiritual friendship look like? Where can you find friends that will last a lifetime? What if you already have plenty of friends, but they aren’t spiritual? There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you want to share your faith, that can be challenging. Luckily, in this post, we are going to cover everything you need to know to be successful at making friends, including spiritual friendship Bible verses!

What is a Spiritual Friendship?

A spiritual friendship is a relationship where there is a connection on a deeper level because you have a shared relationship with Christ. What’s great about a spiritual friendship is the joint desire to love God – no matter what. You have the same priorities, you can pray together, and you can give each other solid, Christian advice – something in line with the Bible.

Not only can you pray together, but you can trust that your Christian friend will pray for you when you want or need their prayers. Plus, when your spiritual friend gives you advice, you know they are speaking from the heart, a place where they are trying to live like Christ. You can also help each other live better lives together – as a team!

You know you have one thing in common, too – you both want to follow the Bible and grow in Jesus Christ together. With that shared goal in mind, you know that you can rely on your friend to follow the path of Jesus in the best way he or she knows how, leading you by the arm in the right direction with him or her. Make a Christian friend today, and watch your life change!

Where to Make Spiritual Friendships

Meeting Christian friends can be tough. When you meet someone, you don’t know if they are a believer or not, and that’s usually not something you ask right away. So, where can you meet other Christians who could potentially be friends?

Hit a Christian event, like a Christian concert, or go to your local church to meet other people with the same mindset as you. You might meet them after church or during Bible class if the church offers those. 

Many churches have Bible studies for women or men, which is a great way to meet like-minded people. Some even have things like ladies’ retreats where you can go on a mini-vacation with a group of Christian women and grow closer to God together.

You might also want to check out Celebrate Recovery at a local church near you. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a Christ-centered 12-step recovery program for anyone – not just those who suffer from addictions, abuse, or the aftermath of a divorce.

Celebrate Recovery is for anyone with a hurt, habit, or hang-up, and to be honest, don’t we all have something in our life we’re struggling with?

Get creative as you think of places where you could meet other Christians. What kind of activities would they participate in? For example, if you enjoy helping people, consider doing some volunteer work. You will likely meet kind, like-minded individuals who have the same passions and values as you. 

How to Share Your Faith with Friends

Lead by Example

The best way to share your faith with someone is to be a good example of a Christian to start with. You want to show that living for Christ is not all about rules and laws; you can have fun, be full of joy, and find comfort during difficult times. Often, people associate Christianity with a strict lifestyle full of rules and behaviors that are no fun. You can show that this isn’t true.

I’m not suggesting you disobey the law or do anything ungodly, but you can go out and hit the bowling alley, have a good time, laugh, and show that your life is not dictated by rules. It’s been my experience that people who are hesitant to become Christians fear the many rules and restrictions they believe the Bible has for them. 

As mentioned, I’m not suggesting you act in any way that is not Christ-like. In fact, you should illuminate Christ by the way you act, how you behave in certain situations, and your overall demeanor. It’s easy to lash out when you are upset or overwhelmed by something, but you can show the joy and peace brought forth by Christ by showing a calm, collected attitude in crises.

For example, if something horrible happens to you, perhaps instead of cursing or throwing things, you can pray to God and ask Him for the strength to help you get through this struggle. If your friend witnesses this change in you, he or she will see that there are alternate ways to react to situations. You can find peaceful solutions over rage with God on your side.

Show True Love

The Bible shows us that love is the ultimate gift you can share with another person. God loves us in a way that we don’t even understand, but we should seek to love others just as Christ loved us. 

In fact, He loved us so much that He died on the cross for our sins to be forgiven when He was sinless. That’s pretty miraculous! Search your heart, and show love to your friend.

Love can be shown through encouragement, acceptance, loyalty, honesty, hope, strength, and counsel. Really listen to your friend when he or she has a problem. Seek the best solutions for their problems; this shows you truly care what happens to them and what is going on inside of their heart. Demonstrate love through empathy and emotional intelligence.

You can show emotional intelligence by searching for the true meaning of your friend’s emotions. When you seek to understand rather than to judge or selfishly take over the situation, you are demonstrating love. Be happy for your friend when they are happy and sad when they are sad. This shows that you listen and care deeply for what they are going through.

Remember that Jesus showed love to everyone; even His best friends were sinners and people you wouldn’t think He would associate Himself with. Follow His example, and show love to everyone. Be a good friend – something we will talk about next, but also be honest about your passions, values, and beliefs. You don’t need to pretend to be someone you aren’t. 

You are a believer, and although that can conjure up mixed feelings with non-believers, you shouldn’t be afraid to admit it. So, how do you share your passion without pushing your friend away? How can you explain the wonderful news without scaring your friend off? 

Share Your Beliefs

When you feel that the time is right to talk about God and the wonderful things He has in store for you, pick a time when you feel confident your friend will be able to listen. Trying to explain the Bible in a crowded line at the mall is probably not the best time. 

Share Your Excitement

Start by explaining why you are so excited to be a part of God’s kingdom. God gives you a chance to have eternal life in heaven with Him – even with all the flaws you carry around with you. His son, Jesus, came to earth to take care of our sins for us so that we could have this eternal salvation!

For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Share Your Wonder

If it sounds unbelievable or if your friend doesn’t seem to understand how our sins are forgiven by Christ’s blood, refer to this scripture. Jesus died on the cross so that we could have eternal life! It’s a wonderful thing!

He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds, you are healed.
1 Peter 2:24

You’ve now explained how God has allowed us to be a part of His kingdom in heaven through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Now, you need to explain a bit about how to be saved and have a relationship with God. 

Offer Encouragement

Ask them to accept Christ in their heart. Encourage them to confess their sins and praise God for the forgiveness of them.

Introduce the Christian Life

Pray together with your friend for the glorious gifts God has given us and ask for guidance as your friend starts on their new path to Christianity. Encourage your friend to pray daily in order to talk to God, to study the Bible in order to listen to God, and to fellowship with other Christians by going to church. 

Invite them to your church, Bible study, or Bible class! Encourage them through action! Be persistent if they are shy about attending church, but don’t be so pushy that you turn them off to the idea of going to church. Give them time to process everything you have presented.

Spiritual Friendship Quotes in the Bible 

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. – John 15:12

A friend is there to help, in any situation, and relatives are born to share our troubles. – Proverbs 17:17

Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. – 1 Corinthians 13:7

Giving an honest answer is a sign of true friendship. – Proverbs 24:26

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17

A truly good friend will openly correct you. – Proverbs 27:5

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. – Romans 15:7

We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. – Hebrews 10:24

Treat others just as you want to be treated. – Luke 6:31

What I am saying is that we can encourage each other by the faith that is ours. – Romans 1:12

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a long-lasting friendship?

A long-lasting friendship is one where two individuals commit to each other in a relationship that lasts for an extended period of time. You may have a childhood friend who you are close to; that would be an example of a long-lasting friendship because you have known each other for a long time. Build a lasting friendship by exhibiting the characteristics listed in this article.

How do you stop a friendship from falling apart?

If you are in a rocky friendship, you need to decide first if the relationship is worth saving. Can the two of you resolve your issues, or do you just need some space to sort out your feelings? Many friendships are worth saving, so be quick to apologize and forgive and think about the positives this person has brought into your life.

How do I attract spiritual friends?

Be a shining example of Jesus Christ. Live in a Christ-like manner, and you will find like-minded friends. Be kind, gentle, and sweet to other people, especially those who need the most care. If you show compassion and a giving spirit, you will likely attract spiritual individuals who may turn out to be lifelong spiritual friends.

What builds a strong friendship?

A strong friend is someone you can trust, someone who builds you up and makes you a better person, and someone who loves you and shows that love. Friendships become stronger when two people commit to making it work through the good times and the bad. Strong friends bring out the best in each other and care enough to make the relationship work.

How long do most friendships last?

While many friendships last a lifetime, the majority of friendships last about seven years. In one study, it was found that the majority of friendships were replaced over time with new ones, but about 30% of the original friendships stood the sands of time. It seems that most friendships end because of proximity issues (i.e., someone moves out of state).

Conclusion

Remember that deep friendships involve some sacrifice – your time, your heart, and your soul. Close friends know this and understand how to be there for one another. Spiritual friendships require you to love God and your friend at the same time! Do you have what it takes? True best friends last a lifetime!

Do you feel confident about how to make a spiritual friendship that lasts now? Do you have further questions on the subject? While I loved school and have several degrees, I do not have one in psychology, but I’m happy to help you find the answers to your questions to the best of my ability.

Be sure to leave a comment so that I can respond to you in a timely manner! I look forward to hearing about your friend finding love through Christ, the one and only son of God. Hopefully, they love church and the Bible and are on their faith journey right now!

If you’ve loved this blog post, let me know, so I can make more just like it!

Do you need someone to pray with you or help you get through a rough patch? Reach out, and I’m happy to add you to my prayer list. Check out my free daily prayer journal in my shop for a great free resource you can use to glorify God on a daily basis!

For more great spiritual friendship quotes, Bible verses, and advice, check out my article on how to make Christian friends!